TV ratings: ‘Survivor’ finale hits low in 27th season; NFL leads
Ratings for “Survivor’s” finale Sunday hit a low, while the NFL led the night.
The last episode of “Survivor: Blood vs. Water,” the 27th cycle in the reality series’ run, drew 10.2 million viewers and a rating of 2.5 in the key 18-49 age demographic for the episode that resulted in Tyson Apostol’s victory.
Viewership among those advertiser-coveted young adults fell 22% compared with last fall’s comparable episode, marking the lowest rating the show has generated from a season ender. The “Survivor Reunion” brought in 7.7 million viewers overall. Leading off prime time for CBS, a “60 Minutes” episode on the National Security Agency hooked around 10.6 million viewers.
Ratings are tentative because of NFL games that ran into CBS’ lineup in some markets, and the numbers could also be thrown off by the fact that “Survivor” typically reveals the winner after 10 p.m. and this season’s finale ran over by a minute or so.
ON LOCATION: Where the cameras roll
Fox’s animated comedy slate got a big boost from its strong NFL lead-in. “The Simpsons” rose 13% from last week to a 3.5, followed by “Bob’s Burgers,” which increased its rating 14% to a 2.4, its highest in close to a year. “Family Guy” and “American Dad” also rose double digits. With all the football action, Fox had a slight edge over NBC in the 18-49 demographic with a 4.1 rating, while NBC won the night in total viewers (12.2 million).
NBC’s coverage of the NFL matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers drew an average audience of about 14.5 million and a 4.9 in the 18-49 demo in prime time, down from last week. That’s no surprise, considering the Steelers dominated the first half and went on to win 30-20.
Against football and “Survivor,” ABC’s winter finale of “Once Upon a Time” fell 14% week-to-week, to a 1.9, while “Revenge” and “Betrayal” were both up.
ALSO:
TV ratings: ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ ‘Scandal’ rise with fall finales
NPR working with local stations on digital listening experience
‘X Factor’ contestants Alex & Sierra rock iTunes ahead of finale
Twitter: @rfaughnder
From the Oscars to the Emmys.
Get the Envelope newsletter for exclusive awards season coverage, behind-the-scenes stories from the Envelope podcast and columnist Glenn Whipp’s must-read analysis.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
